The reason for the uncertainty is the ongoing strike by the Writers Guild of America, whose members are on the picket line over proceeds from Internet use of their work.

But this break might be the best thing for this ailing series. I know many were heartened by the dramatic finale last week, which saw the apparent killing of two main characters — Nathan gunned down just as he returns to public speaking!, and Niki trapped in a building as it explodes — and Adam/Takezo Kensei buried alive by Hiro in the cemetery that also holds Hiro’s father’s remains. But the overall slow pace of Season 2 so far, the plethora of new and still unproven characters, and plot and character inconsistencies have eroded my faith in this show.

The promos declared heartily that “two heroes will fall.” But did anyone really care, now that we know that a drop of Claire and/or Mohinder’s blood can bring them back? Certainly, there can still be dramatic tension with such a plot device. But so far, all Heroes has done with this back-from-the-dead business is to use it as a cheap hype machine (Maya, HRG), killing characters only to have them regenerate and return to duties.

And how is it that the curdling of Hiro’s soul — going from the conscience of the show and embodiment of honour to someone who will bury a man alive, an immortal man at that — was not more of a moment in the so-called fall finale?

Of course I only whine because I love — correction, have loved — this show so much. The potential of the story and the characters is so rich. And although I’m glad for a little time apart, that lovin’ feelin’ could easily return. Because I must admit that as much as I feel a bit whiplashed (and bored) by Season 2 so far, there are turns that have me looking forward to the return. Whenever that happens:

How long will it take Maya to figure out that if Sylar’s 10-minute tutorial can help her turn her deadly-black-tar-in-the-eyes power on and off, that she can probably furrow her brow a little and come up with the control required to target her power at a single individual? Someone like, say… Sylar?

Who is fly boy West? Is he, as some have guessed, the son of Company man Bob, sent to watch Claire?

Will attention-starved Elle go good, now that she has been called a hero by a grateful Mohinder?

Was it, as rumours have suggested, Claire’s dad, HRG, who shot Nathan, his end of the bargain to guarantee his family their freedom?

Just what will Peter and Nathan get Mama Petrelli for Mother’s Day?

And how long and hard did you laugh to see that it was a can of spinach that proved Sylar’s strength had returned. “I’m back,” he growled in the alley. But he should have just quoted Popeye, “I yam what I yam and that’s all that I yam.”

On a final note, it’s possible that the writers strike will drag on long enough that this is it for Heroes for Season 2. If it returns, it will be the third volume. (I know. It’s tough to keep up.) The now-complete first half of Season 2 was called Volume 2: Generations. Next up: Volume 3: Villains. Watch this space for any info on a return date.

This Week's Flyers

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.